3 Best Restaurants in Leiestreek Villages, Ghent and the Leie

The reputation of D'Oude Schuur often sees Ghentians make a weekend of their visit just to indulge here. As its name (The Old Barn) suggests, it was once part of a farm, though there’s little rustic about its neat, spare interior. The menu does make the most of the country setting, however, dishing up partridge and pheasant alongside the fussier asides of French cooking. Much of the restaurant's reputation lies in its well-stocked cellar, for which the selection of Burgundy wines is especially celebrated.

North Sea sole is the specialty here, fried and served with frites or grilled with a side of dijonnaise. It might not sound like the most sophisticated of dishes, but it is cherished among locals. The rest of the menu veers towards fine steaks, game, and the more rustic cuts often found in fine French cooking, including veal kidneys and crispy sweetbreads with wild mushrooms. The setting is charming, whittled into an old farmstead, and the garden makes for a pleasant retreat during the warmer weather. 

As its name (The Weird Lobster) suggests, lobster is the specialty here, prepared every which way on special menus that recur on Thursday and Sunday. Otherwise, go for the more local fare. The game is especially good, with dishes such as saddle of hare or pheasant embracing its surroundings but giving dishes an elegant twist.